Delta State defeats Harding

CLEVELAND, MS - Delta State senior quarterback Garrett DeWitt threw for 331 yards and four first half touchdown passes and led the ninth-ranked Statesmen to a 48-10 victory over Harding on Saturday on Parker Field at McCool Stadium. It was the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams.

Delta State (2-1, 1-0) ran its regular season GSC winning streak to 24 games and its streak over Arkansas teams to 16 straight. The Statesmen led 38-3 at halftime.

Harding (2-2, 0-1) has not won a GSC opener since 2004 and will take on its second straight nationally-ranked opponent next week when the Bisons host No. 3 North Alabama at First Security Stadium.

DeWitt's four first half touchdowns went to four different receivers. Senior All-America receiver Trevar Deed had a nine-yard touchdown run and a 70-yard scoring reception.

Delta State's defense limited the Bisons to only five rushing yards in the game. Last season, Harding had four rushing yards against the Statesmen.

Harding notched its first touchdown of the game on a 45-yard screen pass to freshman Terrence Davis. It was his second scoring reception of the season and Powell's seven touchdown pass. The play came with 2:20 left in the third quarter and cut the Delta State lead to 38-10.

Delta State's lone touchdown in the second half came on a four-yard Johnson run with 2:23 remaining in the game.

Powell completed 27-of-45 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. Kurt Adams, who returned after missing the last two games with a knee injury, had three receptions for a team-high 63 yards.